Some embodiments of the subject technology provide a novel system for synchronizing content items among a group of peer devices. The content synchronizing system of some embodiments includes the group of peer devices and a set of one or more synchronizing servers communicatively connected with the peer devices through one or more networks. In some embodiments, the synchronizing system uses a star architecture, in which each peer device offloads its synchronization operations to the synchronizing server set. Without establishing a peer-to-peer communication with any other peer device, the particular peer device in these embodiments supplies an encrypted content item set along with the N−1 encryptions of a content key used to encrypt the content item set to the synchronizing server set so that this server set can distribute the encrypted content item set and an encrypted content key to each of the N−1 peer devices.
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4. The method of claim 3, wherein each list identifier of each list of devices is generated by computing a hash value of the identifiers of the devices in the list of devices.
This invention relates to a system for managing and organizing devices in a network, particularly focusing on generating and using list identifiers for groups of devices. The problem addressed is the need for an efficient and secure way to uniquely identify and manage lists of devices, ensuring that changes to the list can be detected and verified. The method involves creating a list of devices, where each device in the list has a unique identifier. To generate a list identifier for the entire group, the system computes a hash value of the identifiers of all devices in the list. This hash value serves as a unique and tamper-evident identifier for the list. If any device is added, removed, or modified in the list, the hash value will change, allowing for easy detection of alterations. The system may also include a method for updating the list of devices, where the hash value is recomputed whenever changes occur. This ensures that the list identifier remains accurate and reflects the current state of the devices in the list. The use of hashing provides a secure and efficient way to verify the integrity of the device list, preventing unauthorized modifications. Additionally, the system may include a method for comparing two lists of devices by comparing their respective hash values. If the hash values match, the lists are identical. If they differ, at least one device in the list has been altered. This comparison method is useful for verifying the consistency of device lists across different systems or at different times. The invention is particularly useful in network management, security systems, and any application where device lists need to be securely and efficiently managed. The use of hashing ensures that the list identifiers are both unique and tamper-evident,
8. The method of claim 1, wherein no list of devices supplied by one device can be modified to add a device to the list of devices or to remove a device from the list of devices.
This invention relates to a method for managing device lists in a networked system, addressing the problem of unauthorized modifications to device lists that can lead to security vulnerabilities or operational disruptions. The method ensures that once a list of devices is supplied by a device, the list cannot be altered to add or remove any devices. This immutability prevents unauthorized changes that could compromise system integrity or functionality. The method involves generating a list of devices associated with a particular device, where the list is fixed and cannot be modified after creation. This ensures that only authorized devices are included in the list and that no unauthorized additions or removals occur. The immutability of the list enhances security by preventing tampering and ensures consistency in device communication and operations. The method may be applied in various networked environments, such as IoT systems, industrial control systems, or other distributed systems where device list integrity is critical. By enforcing this restriction, the method provides a robust solution for maintaining the reliability and security of device interactions within the network.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of the first list of devices by the particular device indicates that the first list of devices accurately identifies the devices in the group.
This invention relates to a method for selecting and verifying a list of devices within a group to ensure accurate identification. The method involves a particular device selecting a first list of devices, where this selection serves as an indication that the first list accurately identifies all devices in the group. The selection process may involve comparing the first list against a second list of devices, which may be generated by a different method or source. The method ensures that the selected list correctly represents the devices in the group, reducing errors in device identification. This is particularly useful in systems where accurate device grouping is critical, such as in network management, IoT device coordination, or distributed computing environments. The method may include steps to resolve discrepancies between the first and second lists, ensuring the final selected list is reliable. The invention improves the accuracy and efficiency of device identification in dynamic or large-scale systems.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein each list identifier of each list of devices is generated by computing a hash value of the identifiers of the devices in the list of devices.
This invention relates to a system for managing and identifying groups of devices in a networked environment. The problem addressed is the need for an efficient and secure way to represent and verify lists of devices, particularly in scenarios where device membership must be authenticated or validated without exposing individual device identifiers. The system involves generating a unique list identifier for each group of devices by computing a hash value of the identifiers of the devices in the group. This hash-based approach ensures that the list identifier is a compact, fixed-size representation that cryptographically binds the group members together. The hash function provides integrity, meaning any change to the list of devices will result in a different hash value, making tampering detectable. The system may also include mechanisms for storing, transmitting, or validating these hashed list identifiers. For example, a central authority or peer devices may use the hash to verify that a received list of devices matches an expected or previously recorded group. This is particularly useful in distributed systems where device membership must be verified across multiple nodes without requiring full disclosure of individual device identifiers. The invention may be applied in various contexts, such as secure group communication, access control, or device authentication, where maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of device lists is critical. The use of hashing ensures that the system remains scalable and resistant to unauthorized modifications.
17. The device of claim 11, wherein the selection of the first list of devices by the particular device indicates that the first list of devices accurately identifies the devices in the group.
This invention relates to a system for selecting and verifying a list of devices within a network or group. The problem addressed is ensuring that a device can accurately identify and select a subset of devices from a larger group, confirming that the selected list correctly represents the intended devices. The system involves a particular device that selects a first list of devices from a group, where this selection serves as an indication that the first list accurately identifies the devices in the group. The selection process may involve comparing the first list against a second list of devices, where the second list is generated based on a different method or criteria. The system may also include mechanisms to verify the accuracy of the selection, such as cross-referencing the first list with the second list or using additional validation steps. The invention ensures that the selected list of devices is reliable and correctly represents the intended group, which is critical for applications requiring precise device identification, such as network management, security, or distributed computing. The system may further include features to handle discrepancies between the first and second lists, such as flagging mismatches or triggering re-evaluation. The overall goal is to provide a robust method for confirming that a device's selection of a subset from a larger group is accurate and reliable.
22. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 21, wherein each list identifier of each list of devices is generated by computing a hash value of the identifiers of the devices in the list of devices.
This invention relates to a system for managing and identifying groups of devices in a networked environment. The problem addressed is efficiently organizing and retrieving device groups while ensuring data integrity and security. The solution involves generating unique identifiers for lists of devices by computing a hash value of the identifiers of the devices in each list. This hash value serves as a list identifier, allowing for quick verification and comparison of device lists without exposing the actual device identifiers. The system stores these hashed list identifiers in a non-transitory machine-readable medium, enabling secure and efficient retrieval of device groups. The method ensures that any modification to a device list results in a different hash value, preventing unauthorized changes and maintaining data consistency. The invention also includes mechanisms for updating and validating device lists by recomputing hash values when devices are added or removed. This approach enhances security, reduces computational overhead, and simplifies the management of device groups in large-scale networks.
26. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 19, wherein no list of devices supplied by one device can be modified to add a device to the list of devices or to remove a device from the list of devices.
In the field of networked device management, a technical challenge arises in maintaining the integrity and security of device lists used for communication or control purposes. Unauthorized modifications to these lists can lead to security vulnerabilities, operational disruptions, or unauthorized access. To address this, a non-transitory machine-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed, enforce strict immutability on device lists. Specifically, the medium includes code that prevents any modification to a list of devices supplied by one device, ensuring that no additional devices can be added to the list and no existing devices can be removed. This immutability is enforced at the system level, preventing circumvention through software or hardware means. The solution ensures that only pre-approved devices are permitted to interact with a system, enhancing security and reliability in environments where device lists must remain static. The medium may also include additional instructions for managing device authentication, communication protocols, or error handling, but the core functionality focuses on maintaining the integrity of the device list. This approach is particularly useful in industrial control systems, IoT networks, or other applications where unauthorized changes to device lists could compromise system operations.
27. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 19, wherein the selection of the first list of devices by the particular device indicates that the first list of devices accurately identifies the devices in the group.
This invention relates to a system for managing device groups in a network, addressing the challenge of accurately identifying and selecting devices within a predefined group. The system involves a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, enable a particular device to select a first list of devices from a group. The selection process confirms that the first list accurately represents the devices in the group, ensuring reliable device identification. The system may also include a second list of devices, where the particular device compares the first and second lists to determine if they match. If they do, the particular device may perform an action, such as transmitting a message or updating a configuration, based on the confirmed accuracy of the device group. The system may further involve generating or updating the first list based on network scans or user input, ensuring the group remains current. This approach improves device management by reducing errors in group identification, enhancing network reliability and security.
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June 1, 2018
December 13, 2022
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